British Science Week 2019

March 14 - March 17

What?

British Science Week is a celebration of the magical wonders of science, showcasing the best of STEM – Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering and how science has helped the Mary Rose ship stay in such great condition since being recovered from the seabed 437 years ago. Hosted at The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, the exhibition will give science lovers a chance to delve into recent advancements, see just how things work, and to experience science in action. British Science Week has partnered with Zeiss Microscopy, allowing a rare and in-depth insight into the Mary Rose ship. Visitors will be welcomed ‘on board’ and will be transported back to Tudor times by the surrounding sights, sounds and smells.

The Mary Rose ship was built in 1510. It was Henry VIII’s, and just like many of his other love affairs, the one between him and his ship didn’t last too long. The Mary Rose sank just outside of Portsmouth on July 19th during the 3rd French war, and with it, claimed the lives of 500 men as well as fascinating bits and bobs, common of the time, that have since been recovered. It’s no wonder that The Mary Rose is such a beloved tourist attraction in Portsmouth – visitors get to see some of the 19,000 artefacts that have been recovered from the historic ship since being excavated from the seabed between 1971 – 1982 such as cannonballs, 70 pairs of shoes, longbows, arrows and chests.

Stepping into the history of The Mary Rose is like stepping back in time, perfect for those with an interest in the Tudor times. And here’s the science bit – the ship spent hundreds of years underwater. Whilst this actually protected the ship, the surrounding marine environment had a profound effect on its damage. In this exhibition, guests will be able to see up close the materials such as seawater and salt that caused the corrosion of the artefacts, along with other oceanic components. The understanding of these elements is key in the research of conservation treatments for other artefacts everywhere.

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